The magazine also quotes unnamed sources, who say that O2 may retain sole UK rights to the 3GS after this date. This what our sources are telling Reg colleague Bill Ray. (See his analysis, written last month iPhone makes eyes at T-Mobile and Orange to find out more on why the end of the exclusive is good for Apple and, possibly, not so bad for O2 either.)

Orange and T-Mobile are the hot favourites to join in the UK iPhone beanfeast, according to Bill. No surprise here as both operators sell the iPhone in other countries.

This week, we were the first to reveal that T-Mobile is already shipping the iPhone 3G to high-rolling British subscribers, who spent over £75 per month, and were threatening to leave the network. ®